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BatchReminder 3.02
Copyright (c) Nice SoftWare!
Postbus 6136, NL 2702 AC Zoetermeer
The Netherlands
FAX/PHONE +3179165841
FIDO 2:281/527.3
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 2
1. What is BatchReminder?................................... 3
2. Installing BatchReminder................................. 3
3. Data-entry into the diary................................ 3
Calendar entries....................................... 4
4. The diary-file : BATREM.FIL.............................. 4
5. How to use BatchReminder in AUTOEXEC.BAT................. 5
5a: Examples for use in AUTOEXEC.BAT................... 5
5b: Optional Path-instructions......................... 6
5c: Environment-instruction (SET-command):............. 6
5d: The ALARM-function ( also see section 12):......... 6
6. Starting BatchReminder without a parameter............... 7
7. Implementing BatchReminder in a MULTI-USER Environment... 8
8. Address-maintenance in BatchReminder..................... 9
Mailmerge WP........................................... 10
Exporting data......................................... 10
Sorting................................................ 11
9. The Utilities............................................ 11
Transfer............................................... 11
BackUp and Restore..................................... 11
SystemTime............................................. 11
BatchErase............................................. 12
10. Manoevering BatchReminder............................... 12
Quick Keys............................................. 12
Operating the Calendar................................. 12
11. Colours................................................. 13
12. The TSR-program BatchAlarm (BATALARM.COM)............... 13
Technical data......................................... 14
13. Disclaimer for BatchAlarm (BATALARM.COM)................ 15
14. Maximum number of records in BatchReminders DIARY....... 15
15. How about using BatchReminder permanently?.............. 16
16. What happens if I do not register?...................... 16
17. Credit where Credit is due.............................. 16
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 3
1. What is BatchReminder?
─────────────────────────
BatchReminder is a 'Personal Information Manager' or 'Organizer' for the
PC. The program enables you to maintain a DIARY and ADDRESS-bank.
The DIARY has a built-in REPORTER and ALARM-clock which enables you to see
DIARY-events on screen instantaneously, on a daily basis.
The resident part of the ALARM-function is a mere 1600 bytes in size
allowing you full benefit of precious DOS base memory. This makes it one of
the smallest memory resident DIARY-utilities ever.
ADDRESS-control offers you the ability to store all the addresses of your
personal relations in a file on disk.
With the option 'MAIL-MERGE WP', you can produce a 'secondary file' which
you can combine in a WordPerfect document for mail-merging purposes.
The export functions of ADDRESS-control carry your data within the reach of
dBASE, LOTUS 123 and wordprocessor.
BatchReminder can also be implemented in a multi-user network.
In a network BatchReminder can be tailored to honour data- and user-
directories. This makes it possible to report from a central and a private
diary.
Through the ALARM-function a network administrator can even reach users who
logged off during the day!
2. Installing BatchReminder
───────────────────────────
The installation of BatchReminder can be achieved by running INSTALL.EXE.
INSTALL copies the BatchReminder files to the correct directory (creates it
if necessary) and will optionally edit AUTOEXEC.BAT for an optimal use of
BatchReminder. The original AUTOEXEC.BAT is renamed to AUTOEXEC.OLD so you
can return to the old situation any time you choose.
As a matter of fact you can skip the technical stuff under section 5 and 7
when you use the install program. Install will construct the right syntax
from your answers to the prompts of install.
3. Data-entry into the diary
───────────────────────────
Initially BatchReminder knows eight default diary-events:
- Diary
- Pinboard
- Birthday
- Wedding-day
- Anniversary
- Lustrum
- Foundation
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 4
You are free to change this events in the data-entry procedure. These
changes are written to the configuration file. In this way you can tailor
the events to your needs.
When entering a date you are free to omit the year. This is particularly
useful with birthdays when you know the day and month but not the exact
year.
Pinboard entries are reminders for things to do for which no particular
date is (yet) planned. Pinboard entries are therefore the only events
WITHOUT a date and are reported daily by BatchReminder.
A single event can either be reported yearly or just once.
One-time events are exclusively reported on the exact date and for as much
as they fall within the user-defined reach of the search-parameter.
Yearly events are reported on the exact day and month and for as much as
they fall within the reach of the search-parameter (see section 5).
Calendar entries
================
The calendar-function brings the current month on screen with the cursor on
the current day. Days with events or set alarm are indicated as such.
On the right-hand side of the calendar the contents of the day are
presented in the diary-window. With the aid of the cursor-keys one can
scroll to different days and months.
Note that the calendar gives an extra possibility to record diary-events.
The calendar routine however regards all entries as 'one-time' events and
doesn't accept passed dates.
The calendar is suited to consult the diary quickly to see if an
appointment can be made and to fix it in the progress.
A periodical returning event is most efficiently recorded by:
- Entry the first event ( Standard or through Calendar)
- Select 'carry through' under option 'Mutations :
Change' and set:
- The end-date of the series of events
- The time-factor: day, week, month, year
- The skip-factor
4. The diary-file : BATREM.FIL
───────────────────────────────
Diary entries are stored by BatchReminder in a file called 'BATREM.FIL'.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 5
Owners of an old release of BatchReminder must make sure to rebuild the old
BATREM.FIL with the programm REBUILD.EXE to make it fit for use with
release 3.02. BatchReminder is capable of detecting an old file-layout and
will tell you the moment you try to make a change to the data-base.
5. How to use BatchReminder in AUTOEXEC.BAT
────────────────────────────────────────────
NB! This technical stuff is fully supported by the install programme
INSTALL.EXE. Knowledge of the parameter-use therefore is not
essential. This document however would not be complete if this
subject was not disclosed.
To use BatchReminder in a BATCH-procedure one needs to place BatchReminder
parameters in the BATCH-File, e.g.
BATREM option [-Ffullpath] [-Dfullpath]
The path-instructions are optional for special use in Batch-files, if no
parameter is supplied BatchReminder will present a well-come window
followed by a pull-down menu.
Valid options:
Z = Search and report today's events
Zn = Search and report today and n-days back (max 9)
ZM = Search and report today, on mondays 2 days back
Z[n][M]Vn = As above plus n-days ahead (max 9)
1Z[n][M]Vn= As above, only once a day
Z[nMVn]Cx = x is colour Reporterscreen (1 to 15)
5a: Examples for use in AUTOEXEC.BAT
=====================================
..........
BATREM Z => Every time at reboot report about today's events
BATALARM
..........
BATREM 1ZMC01 => Advised parameter, once a day, on Mondays 2 days back,
BATALARM Reporter screen-colour is 01 (Blue)
..........
BATREM 1ZMV1 => As above, but also looks 1 day ahead
BATALARM
..........
BATREM 1Z9V9 => once a day, 9 days back, 9 days ahead (full scope)
BATALARM
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 6
5b: Optional Path-instructions
==============================
There is no need to place BATREM.EXE and its database BATREM.FIL together
in the same directory.
BatchReminder first looks in the current directory and will, if necessary,
search the entire DOS-path for BATREM.FIL.
The working files of BatchReminder can be placed in different directories.
This is particularly useful in a multi-user network (also see section 7),
e.g.
DATA-files F:\PZ\DATA (*.FIL)
User unique- F:\USER\JOHNSON(*.CFG, *.FRQ, *.ALM)
files
In this situation one uses the optional path-instructions:
Example in AUTOEXEC.BAT:
........
BATREM 1ZM -DF:\PZ\DATA -FF:\USER\JOHNSON
BATALARM -FF:\USER\JOHNSON
5c: Environment-instruction (SET-command):
==========================================
Apart from making use of the -D or -F parameter it is possible to globally
indicate where BatchReminder can find its files.
This is done by means of the SET-command in AUTOEXEC.BAT just before
BatchReminder is called, e.g.
SET BATREM= C:\UTILS\BATREM
BATREM 1ZMV1
BatchReminder will now expect its files to be located in the directory
C:\UTILS\BATREM.
However, the explicit use of -D or -F will overrule the SET command.
*** The default size of the DOS-environment is 160 bytes. ***
*** If no more environment space is available for the SET ***
*** instruction one can enlarge this environment-block by ***
*** entering the following instruction in CONFIG.SYS: ***
*** SHELL = C:\COMMAND.COM /P /E:512 ***
5d: The ALARM-function ( also see section 12):
==============================================
The ALARM-time (24 hour format) is optional and activates two functions
within BatchReminder,
1. Guarding against double appointments; if an appointment is entered
BatchReminder will not accept another appointment for the given time.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 7
2. ALARM-signal function; on the given time one hears the Reporter-bell
and furthermore a message appears in the right top corner of the
screen.
Note that this function only works in conjunction with the TSR-
utility BatchAlarm!
BatchReminder and BatchAlarm communicate by means of an interface-
file 'C:\~~~1.ALM' which is produced by BatchReminder and is read by
BatchAlarm.
( Pay attention to the calling sequence in the Batch-file!)
If you don't want to use the TSR you can switch off the ALARM-interface by
means of the menu-option 'Config'.
6. Starting BatchReminder without a parameter
──────────────────────────────────────────────
If BatchReminder is started without a parameter, it presents a welcome-
window followed by a pull-down menu:
MUTATIONS : Entry - new diary event
Change - Name, date, event, frequency,
Carry through
Remove - remove passed or unwanted events
BatchErase- Remove passed 'one-time' events ; result
to BATREM.HIS
End - Exit to DOS
DIARY : Today - Report today's events
LookBack - Events from Jan 1th till today
LookAhead - Coming events
Print - Full Report per item to printer
Calendar - Month(s) on screen with fast entry
INFO : Help - General directions
Info - Philosophy and Credits
Licence - Licence-information
CONFIG : Colour - Reporter and BatchReminder in colour
Monochrome- Reporter and BatchReminder in B/W
(monochrome C/E/VGA)
Sound On - 'Whistling Windows' at welcome and
file-mutations
Sound Off - Silence. Doesn't silence Reporter-bell
MakeAlarm - Enables interfacing with BatchAlarm
MakeNoAlarm- You like BatchReminder but resent the use
of TSR's. No interface will be made.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 8
ADDRESSES : Consult - Consult the address-bank with several
search-facilities (sound, string etc)
Entry - New addresses
Change - change existing entries
Remove - remove existing entries
Mail-Merge- Produce secondary file for WordPerfect
Export - Export address-bank to dBase III, LOTUS 123
or ASCII
Sort - Sort address-bank on 1 of more items
UTILITIES : Transfer - Automatic exchange of BatchReminder
DATA-files between 2 PC's by means of
DATE/TIME comparison
BackUp - Copy DATA-files to diskette
Restore - Copy DATA-files from diskette
Hows&Why - Explanatory discourse on Utilities
SystemTime- Correct DOS time and day
QUIT : ExitToDos - Exit to DOS
7. Implementing BatchReminder in a MULTI-USER Environment
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
NOTE!The technique which is described in this section is fully applied by
the install-program INSTALL.EXE. In most of the cases INSTALL will
construct the correct parameter syntax. So reading this technical
stuff is not a must. This documentation however would not be complete
if the 'MULTI-USER' aspect was to be omitted.
In some cases the installation in a network requires an in depth
approach. A total grasp of this section is then essential.
A number of users have implemented BatchReminder on a SERVER in a network
and have sent me enthusiastic reactions.
On the CLIENT side (workstations) the following adjustments should be made
to AUTOEXEC.BAT,
a: SET BATREM = C:\UTILS\BATREM (or whatever directory you see fit)
This instructs BatchReminder to read the configuration- and
frequency-file of the individual CLIENT. If you omit the SET-command
BatchReminder would try to write to the root of the SERVER where it
hasn't got write-permission (amongst other draw-backs).
b: BATREM 1ZM -DF:\PZ\DATA
BATALARM
The use of the -D parameter forces BatchReminder to use the data-file
on the SERVER and causes the ENVIRONMENT-parameter to be ignored.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 9
The ALARM-interface '~~~1.ALM' is by default created in the ROOT of drive C
by BatchReminder. When this is not allowed ( or not possible : think of
diskless workstations ) the F-parameter should be used to indicate the
user's home-directory on the SERVER. With the same -F parameter BatchAlarm
must be instructed where to look for the interface-file, thus
BATREM 1ZM -FH:\USER\JOHNSON
BATALARM -FH:\USER\JOHNSON
or in combination with the -D parameter
BATREM 1ZM -DF:\PZ\DATA -FH:\USER\JOHNSON
BATALARM -FH:\USER\JOHNSON
During write-actions to the SERVER a complete write-lock is enforced on
'BATREM.FIL' in order to prevent file-inconsistency.
So called 'dead-locks' are intercepted whereby the CLIENT is allowed to
choose to wait and try again or to break off the procedure.
*** The code that supports 'filesharing' and 'locking' in a network ***
*** environment is isolated in the user installable SHARE-module ***
*** from MS-DOS. After SHARE is loaded MS-DOS will monitor all ***
*** reading and writing actions through this module. ***
If and when a CLIENT is not permitted to make changes to the data-base
a 'read-only' status on the SERVER-file should be attributed thus
preventing unauthorised changes to the file.
If BatchAlarm is added to the CLIENT side the network-administrator has a
possibility to invoke messages on all workstations for a given moment.
Logging off from the network could not prevent this since BatchAlarm stays
resident until the workstation is switched off. Even rebooting would not
interfere with the message because BatchAlarm would find the interface file
at boot-up and go resident again.
The SET-parameter makes it possible for the CLIENT to maintain a separate
BATREM.FIL for personal use. In AUTOEXEC.BAT BatchReminder will then be
called for a second time, this time without the -D parameter.
8. Address-maintenance in BatchReminder
────────────────────────────────────────
This is all very straightforward. Here are some useful tips for the data-
entry of addresses,
-FIRSTNAME : Something like Family B.
or Henry van => rest with NAME
or Karen and Rob
-NAME : Family or Company-name
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 10
-MAILADDRESS : If a persons mailing-address is the same as his
HOME-ADDRESS it is not necessary to enter the same
data twice. Make sure however that MAIL-ADDRESS is
always used in order to prevent problems with
MAILMERGE.
-MAILLIST : Choose a short indication like, Private, Xmas etc
Since the address-bank has not got a country input
field you also could use this field for country
indications.
Mailmerge WP
============
This option enables you to arrange large mailings and/or to produce labels.
'Mailmerge' creates a secondary file for special use with WordPerfect, in
which all variables for a document or label are included.
( NOTE ; in case you don't posses WordPerfect but own a different
wordprocessing package it will no doubt be possible to make a mailmerge
file by means of exporting to dBase or LOTUS and importing this in your
personal wordprocessor)
It makes no difference if you do mail-merge or print labels, for
WordPerfect you need two files, a 'primary' file and a 'secondary' file.
The secondary file contains the actual varying data and is produced by
BatchReminder. You just pick the data in the order that is expected by the
primary file.
The primary file you make yourself with WordPerfect and could look like
this:
To : {FIELD}1~ ==>Shift-F9,1,1,Enter
Street : {FIELD}2~ ==>Shift-F9,1,2,Enter
Zipcode and City : {FIELD}3~ {FIELD}4~==>etc.
The contents of these 4 fields are actually ready in the secondary file.
In Wordperfect one combines the two files with CTRL-F9. Just make sure you
don't mix up the field- and record-separators [ ] and { }.
If you are to print labels you should first define the label-form in
WordPerfect (SHIFT-F8,2,7, Add, Labels).
With a ruler for the label dimensions and a small dose of insight this feat
can easily be accomplished.
To take this burden off your hand, a WP-MACRO 'AVERY.WPM' is supplied with
BatchReminder. This handy macro will define labelforms for both matrix- and
laserprinters. You will of course be needing 'AVERY'-labels but that was
the whole idea behind writing this macro in the first place. AVERY-labels
come in packages of 25, 50 or 100 sheets.
Exporting data
==============
Users of dBASE or LOTUS 123 will surely appreciate the possibility to
process the addressing-data in the named software-packages. For this reason
the complete address-file can be exported in the format of your choosing.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 11
Any further record- or fieldselections are left to dBASE or LOTUS.
When exporting to ASCII one must indicate WHICH fields should be
transformed. Bear in mind that selection of all fields will make the ASCII-
file to be too long in row-size and probably cause a truncation at import.
Sorting
=======
On the address-file NO special tricks like pointers or indexes have been
applied. A new record is simply added at the end of the current file.
With the sort option you are completely free to sort the file on any
indication you see fit. For instance on ZIP-code or on CITY.
9. The Utilities
─────────────────
Transfer
This is particularly useful when you use BatchReminder on 2 separate
computers, e.g. one at work and one at home.
TRANSFER compares the BatchReminder data-files on hard disk with those on a
diskette in drive A, this on a basis of file time and date.
When the files on hard disk are more recent than those on diskette ( or
nonexistent on diskette), BatchReminder copies the data to the diskette.
In the situation where the hard-disk files are older than the ones on
diskette, it goes the other way around.
Through this you can travel around with your personal data on diskette and
need not ask yourself which way you have copy this time.
BackUp and Restore
Copies the data-files BATREM.FIL and BATADRES.FIL to or from diskette.
SystemTime
'Let's synchronize our watches' is an amply used film-expression. To make
sure that the system-clock is equal to yours, this utility is at hand to
correct the system time and day to real time.
Experience learns that system-time lives a life of its own in the long run.
Because of this you could miss appointments when BatchAlarm gives a signal
at his time, not necessarily yours.
NOTE! It is pointless correcting the system-time after BatchAlarm has gone
resident. (This is reported in the BatchReminder bottom status-bar).
BatchAlarm follows a count-down cycle and doesn't do any real-time
checks after it has gone resident. If you were to change the
system-time in such a case you should first unload BatchAlarm and
reload it again after the time correction.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 12
BatchErase
With this utility you can quickly dispose of all one-time events in the
DIARY that lie in the past and therefore are dead-weight for the Reporter.
Removed entries are written to a historical file BATREM.HIS in ASCII-
format. This enables you to browse this historical data with a
wordprocessor.
10. Manoevering BatchReminder
──────────────────────────────
The 'pull-down' menu is ACTIVATED by pressing the ALT-key. Quick-keys give
fast access to a menu-option. These quick-keys however are not operative
once the menu-bar is activated.
<Buttons> can be activated by placing the cursor on the button and pressing
ENTER or can be clicked by the mouse.
The <TAB> Button in the DIARY entry-screen can be activated by the TAB-key,
by the cursor/ENTER combination or by clicking it with the mouse.
Quick Keys
==========
As long as the menu-bar is NOT activated some functions can be quickly
called by pressing the following function-keys:
F1= help F6= Consult addresses
F2= Entry screen DIARY F7= Entry screen addresses
F3= Change DIARY entries F8= Change addresses
F4= Remove DIARY entries F9= Remove addresses
F5= Calendar F10= Exit to DOS
Operating the Calendar
======================
Mouse: Select a day by clicking it with the mouse. A function of a
<Button> is called by clicking it with the mouse.
After selection of the desired date, the adjacent DIARY-window
may be clicked on. The contents of the day will appear on
screen. In this situation a new DIARY-event may be entered by
clicking on the <Input> button.
Note that only one-time events will be entered with DIARY as
fixed subject.
If you need to enter a yearly event, you may now either press
F2 (Quick-Key) or choose menu-option 'Mutations: Entry' whilst
the DAIRY-window is still on screen. Your chosen date then
appears in the DIARY-entry screen as default-value.
While in Calendar-mode you can swap windows by clicking on the
desired window.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 13
Keyboard: Select a day with the cursor-keys. A function of a <Button> is
called by pressing the indicated key on the keyboard.
After selection of the desired date ENTER may be pressed.
The contents of the day will appear on screen. In this
situation a new DIARY-event may be entered by selecting the
<Input> button.
Note that only one-time events will be entered with DIARY as
fixed subject.
If you need to enter a yearly event, you may now either press
F2 (Quick-Key) or choose menu-option 'Mutations: Entry' with
the ALT-M key combination. Your chosen date then appears in the
DIARY-entry screen as default value.
While in Calender-mode you may swap windows with the aid of the
<Buttons>.
11. Colours
────────────
BatchReminder checks your video-card for the capability of handling more
than 4 colours in text-mode and will automatically switch to colour. If
this is not wanted ( monochrome CGA/EGA/VGA ), colour setup may be
overruled by selecting 'Config: Monochrome' from the menu-bar.
BatchReminders configuration is logged to the file BATREM.CFG.
The colour of the Reporter-screen may be set in the Batch-procedure by
means of the Cx-parameter, where x is a figure from 1 to 8:
C01 Blue
C02 Green
C03 Cyan
C04 Red
C05 Magenta
C06 Brown
C07 White
C08 Grey
Example: BATREM 1ZMC07 or : BATREM 1ZMC04
Giving a colour-code is not mandatory. When the Cx parameter is not found
BatchReminder will switch to default ( blue or white ).
12. The TSR-program BatchAlarm (BATALARM.COM)
─────────────────────────────────────────────
BatchAlarm was written on special request by users who kept on forgetting
the Reporter-information in de course of the day. Losing all track of time
as they where deeply immersed in their every day work. In short, they
wanted an alarm-function on screen.
BatchAlarm (BATALARM.COM) was conceived for this purpose and is fully
written in Assembler, the language the computer knows best. This TSR should
be regarded as an 'add-on' to BatchReminder. You need this program when you
want to hear a signal and see a pop-up message on screen on a preset time.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 14
BatchReminder and BatchAlarm communicate through the interface-file
'~~~1.ALM' which is optionally created by BatchReminder and is by default
to be found in the root-directory of drive C.
If this is unwanted ( or impossible: think of diskless workstations) the F-
parameter should point to the alternative directory. With the very same
parameter BATALARM.COM must be instructed where to look for its interface-
file ( see the example in section 7).
The ALARM-function works as follows:
After you have indicated by selecting 'CONFIG : MakeAlarm' that the ALARM-
function should be switched on, BatchReminder in BatchMode will check for
alarm-events for the current day. If alarm-events are found BatchReminder
writes the alarm-time and alarm-message to the interface-file '~~~1.ALM'.
If no alarm-events are found the interface-file will not be created but
erased when found on disk.
Subsequently BatchAlarm will check for the existence of the interface-file.
When found, BatchAlarm will read the contents and go resident with the
file-information. ( Make sure to call BatchAlarm first with the correct
parameters in AUTOEXEC.BAT before you invoke BatchAlarm).
*** Because of the alarm-function the correctness of the system-time ***
*** is most essential. For this reason a function-key is designed ***
*** in the Reporter-screen (F5) which enables you to correct the ***
*** system time BEFORE BatchAlarm goes resident. When you make ***
*** changes to the set system DATE the Reporter will restart again ***
*** in order to give the right information. ***
On the preset time BatchAlarm will break through the current application.
The Reporter-bell will sound and your particular appointment will appear in
red in the right-hand top corner of the screen. ( When a screen is in
graphic-mode you just hear the Reporter-bell).
The message will appear for 10 seconds every minute and will be stopped
after pressing the ALT-key. During these 10 seconds the keyboard will
not accept input, other than the ALT-key.
BatchReminder will then proceed to the count-down of further alarm-events
(max 10).
BatchAlarm stays resident until it is deinstalled with 'BATALARM U' or
until the PC is rebooted. When the computer is rebooted before all alarm-
events have passed, BatchAlarm will automatically go resident again with
the remaining alarm-events.
Technical data
==============
BATALARM.COM 'hooks' Interrupt 1CH (Timer Tick).
* BATALARM.COM also calls the old interrupt vector thus honouring other
* TSR's that depend on interrupt 1CH. Pay attention however to the fact that
* not every TSR-programmer follows this rule. If you find that BatchAlarm is
* disabled by selfish TSR's, load them first before loading BatchReminder.
During initialisation BatchAlarm calculates the remaining seconds for all
alarm-events (max 10) and goes resident with them. After approximately 18
timer-ticks BatchAlarm descends 1 second in the count-down cycle.
When zero is reached BatchAlarm sounds the Reporter-bell and checks the
screen for text- or graphic-mode. It won't touch graphic screens but you
will hear the Reporter-bell. In text-mode it saves the back-ground
information of the top screen row and restores it after the message-time
has passed.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 15
DURING A SCREEN-MESSAGE THE KEY-BOARD INTERRUPT IS DISABLED TO PREVENT
the user from making a screen-change before the original screen is
restored.
The resident part of BatchAlarm is a mere 1600 bytes in size, thus making
it one of the smallest memory resident DIARY-utilities.
13. Disclaimer for BatchAlarm (BATALARM.COM)
─────────────────────────────────────────────
BatchAlarm was kept very simple so it would use very little DOS-memory.
This simplicity also brings about limitations. Although the programme has
been tested by me and the test-team on various machines, I cannot give you
any guarantee that this TSR will work flawlessly. (It has been known to
hang up dedicated servers running under NOVELL when installed BEFORE
the NOVELL-software was installed).
Please test it on your own configuration to make sure it causes no
problems.
BatchAlarm is a 'add-on' to BatchReminder and therefore not essential for
the operation of BatchReminder itself.
When in doubt, or when problems should occur, simply switch off the
interface with 'CONFIG: MakeNoAlarm' and remove BATALARM.COM from
AUTOEXEC.BAT. In that case the ALARM-function is restricted to signalling
double appointments at entry. The Reporter will of course do its duty
anyway.
14. Maximum number of records in BatchReminders DIARY
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
In order to keep the processing-speed of BatchReminder optimal, I have
decided to perform sorting-routines completely in memory (thus sparing
disk-IO). Also for the sake of the Reporterspeed at boot-up, there was a
necessity to put limitations to the size of the DIARY-file 'BATREM.FIL'.
The upper-border of this release 3.02 is absolutely fixed on 1800 events.
From 1750 events on BatchReminder will start to warn that the ceiling is
about to be reached. With the aid of the BatchErase utility (MUTATIONS,
BatchErase) you can quickly dispose of all passed one-time events that now
are a dead loss to the Reporter. BatchErase will move these events to a
historical file on disk (BATREM.HIS) in ASCII-format.
It is highly recommended to perform BatchErase on a regular basis as to
keep the performance of BatchReminder on a giddy hight.
This restriction was not imposed on the address-file BATADRES.FIL. The
maximum size of this file is related to the available size on disk.
Sorting of the address-file goes by means of DISK-IO. Sorting a large file
may therefore take some time.
BatchReminder 3.02 (C) Nice Software! Page 16
15. How about using BatchReminder permanently?
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BatchReminder is a SHAREWARE product. This means that you may try out this
program for a given time. You are also encouraged to upload this program
or pass it on to friends so they might try it as well.
However, if you still use the programme after a month you are expected to
pay for it.
Registering BatchReminder entitles you to receive a diskette with the
most recent version of BatchReminder, registered to your name.
As a registered user you are allowed to install BatchReminder on two PC's
to your choosing, e.g. one at home and one at work.
A multi-user receives the right (and the possibility) to implement
BatchReminder in a multi-user environment.
Registering gives you the right to free updates as they come out, against
payment of mailing-costs. No extra charges, apart from mailing-costs, will
ever be made, not even when the price of BatchReminder should rise.
You will be contacted by letter in the event of a new major release.
The amount for a single user license is US $ 55.00. For multi-users an
unlimited site-license can be obtained for US $ 155.00. These amounts
INCLUDE a US $ 10.00 sur-charge for international bank-transfers.
A discount of US $ 10.00 therefore will be given if you are sending cash.
For registering BatchReminder you may make use of the form which is
included in the file REGISTER.DOC
16. What happens if I do not register?
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The try-out version of BatchReminder allows a test period of 30 days.
After 30 days of use, BatchReminder will ask for registration in batchmode.
In this stage BatchReminder will continue to operate normally.
The commercial is merely a reminder that the use of BatchReminder is not
free.
When the commercial appears you are granted additional 30 days of use in
order to enable you to register.
After 60 days of free use, BatchReminder will no longer work in Batchmode
and will refuse admittance to its data-files.
17. Credit where Credit is due
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Part of this programme is copy-righted by :
MICROSOFT (R) - BASIC Professional Development System 7.10
ASSEMBLER-ROUTINES (Other than BATALARM)
- Courtesy of Mr Christy Gemmell, England
Test-driving :
Wim de Lange, Aad Hendriks, Ruby Behre, Albert C.F. Stevens
Henry van den Brink, Arie Bos, Ferry Worung, Jack Lindeboom
Special thanks for relentless testing of BatchAlarm to:
Albert C.F. Stevens
Design & Programming :
Ben Kalkhoven h.o. Nice SoftWare!
Holland, Zoetermeer, January 1994